How do we love each other?

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Sep 17, 2016
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#21
Good point! Agape love involves commitment akin to perseverance in addition to emotion.
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I agree completely.

Unrelated but an interesting study on agape which a popular take is that it mean sacrificial love but the author shows it that isn't always the case. The interpretation is solely defined on author intent.
 
Sep 17, 2016
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#22
What does it mean to "take up my cross"?
In Christian terminology to take up our cross is symbolism for what Christ did in the flesh.

It isn't literal in the sense we need to crucify ourselves physically but it provides the image that we are to accept and bear the burdens that come from following Christ.

It involves denying the self for spiritual maturity, sometimes suffering in His name, sometimes it may involve sacrifice, commitment to faith even in difficulty, and transformation (growing closer to God) just as Christ's death resulted in life we make practice of (crucifying) denying the flesh (sin) and choose life (holiness).
 

Pilgrimshope

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2020
16,061
6,453
113
#26
In Christian terminology to take up our cross is symbolism for what Christ did in the flesh.

It isn't literal in the sense we need to crucify ourselves physically but it provides the image that we are to accept and bear the burdens that come from following Christ.

It involves denying the self for spiritual maturity, sometimes suffering in His name, sometimes it may involve sacrifice, commitment to faith even in difficulty, and transformation (growing closer to God) just as Christ's death resulted in life we make practice of (crucifying) denying the flesh (sin) and choose life (holiness).
“Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭8:12-13‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.

It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.”
‭‭John‬ ‭6:63‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.”
‭‭John‬ ‭5:24‬ ‭

“Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
‭‭John‬ ‭8:31-32‬ ‭KJV‬‬

if so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: that ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;

and be renewed in the spirit of your mind;

and that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.”
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭4:21-24‬ ‭KJV‬‬

When we listen to Jesus and learn from him it changes our minds and thinking about God , one another , ourselves , the world we live in , eternity to come ect it changes how we think as we begin to listen to and believe the gospel letting what Jesus taught be true

“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭12:2‬ ‭

“and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:”
‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3:10‬ ‭KJV‬‬

what we think we know needs to change to what Jesus taught in the gospel that needs to become what we know and trust regarding God ourselves other people life in this world ect it’s the understanding of God he taught us who believe him

We need to go to him for truth because

All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭11:27-30‬ ‭KJV‬‬

All we really need to do is put our trust in Jesus and that includes the things he taught us in the gospel it’s truly easy and restful because in the end we end up learning that Jesus is really just teaching us to treat one another with compassion and love in whatever circumstance we find ourselves in as we journey through on our way home spreading the news to others who will listen

He teaches us to treat other people as he would have us treat other people as Jesus treated us with care and true love. He already knows we’re not perfect that’s why he had to suffer and die but he teaches us to love each other .

forgive , don’t condemn , take care of the needs of others less fortunate than you as you are able and capable to do so don’t be a person who just passes on by the other side ignoring the e needy man on the corner . Be honest , share , consoder others equal to or even better than yourself more inportant ect

he really is just teaching us to be decent people to each other because we’re going to live for eternity together with him freely and we need to learn to live right
 

Magenta

Senior Member
Jul 3, 2015
65,064
33,165
113
#27
Galations 2:20 ESV
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.


Matthew 16:24-26
English Standard Version


24 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it
Also encapsulated in the words of Jesus Christ Himself, "Not my will but Thine be done."
 
Sep 17, 2016
9,052
4,686
113
#28
“Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭8:12-13‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.

It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.”
‭‭John‬ ‭6:63‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.”
‭‭John‬ ‭5:24‬ ‭

“Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
‭‭John‬ ‭8:31-32‬ ‭KJV‬‬

if so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: that ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;

and be renewed in the spirit of your mind;

and that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.”
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭4:21-24‬ ‭KJV‬‬

When we listen to Jesus and learn from him it changes our minds and thinking about God , one another , ourselves , the world we live in , eternity to come ect it changes how we think as we begin to listen to and believe the gospel letting what Jesus taught be true

“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭12:2‬ ‭

“and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:”
‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3:10‬ ‭KJV‬‬

what we think we know needs to change to what Jesus taught in the gospel that needs to become what we know and trust regarding God ourselves other people life in this world ect it’s the understanding of God he taught us who believe him

We need to go to him for truth because

All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭11:27-30‬ ‭KJV‬‬

All we really need to do is put our trust in Jesus and that includes the things he taught us in the gospel it’s truly easy and restful because in the end we end up learning that Jesus is really just teaching us to treat one another with compassion and love in whatever circumstance we find ourselves in as we journey through on our way home spreading the news to others who will listen

He teaches us to treat other people as he would have us treat other people as Jesus treated us with care and true love. He already knows we’re not perfect that’s why he had to suffer and die but he teaches us to love each other .

forgive , don’t condemn , take care of the needs of others less fortunate than you as you are able and capable to do so don’t be a person who just passes on by the other side ignoring the e needy man on the corner . Be honest , share , consoder others equal to or even better than yourself more inportant ect

he really is just teaching us to be decent people to each other because we’re going to live for eternity together with him freely and we need to learn to live right
Amen! A new man or woman in Christ is key to understanding we are no longer held captive by the old ways of the flesh. We are set free to live in Christ. Of course, we must still wrestle with the flesh and choose His will over our will.

Having His Spirit living within us as a certified helper in the area of transformation gives us the means to defeat sin.
 

Magenta

Senior Member
Jul 3, 2015
65,064
33,165
113
#29
Amen! A new man or woman in Christ is key to understanding we are no longer held captive by the old ways of the flesh.
We are set free to live in Christ. Of course, we must still wrestle with the flesh and choose His will over our will.
Many do not believe what Scripture says about the natural man being a slave to sin.
 
Sep 17, 2016
9,052
4,686
113
#30
Also encapsulated in the words of Jesus Christ Himself, "Not my will but Thine be done."
Isn't that powerful? Our Lord sweating blood due to extreme anxiety about facing the cross and yet He settles on not my will, but your will shall be done. Scripture says that an angel came down to strengthen Him and yet oddly the angel comes before the blood of sweat. You would imagine a supernatural strengthening but to me, it shows two things.
1. The angel must have simply encouraged Him and reassured Him.
2. Jesus faced the cross as a human. He wasn't supernaturally numbed or strengthened. Fully man and fully God but yet He chose to suffer as man to save us. A beautiful image.
 
Sep 17, 2016
9,052
4,686
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#31
Many do not believe what Scripture says about the natural man being a slave to sin.
They may not believe but that doesn't make it any less true. We are a slave to anything that controls us. God's law sets a standard of perfection. No one could meet perfection except Christ. Unless we follow God's laws perfectly then we are a slave to sin.

Christ set us free from the Old Covenant and brought in the new, law of Christ. If we are set free, we are no longer under the bondage of sin and death.

Set free to allow God to work in and through us under sanctification.
 

Pilgrimshope

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2020
16,061
6,453
113
#32
They may not believe but that doesn't make it any less true. We are a slave to anything that controls us. God's law sets a standard of perfection. No one could meet perfection except Christ. Unless we follow God's laws perfectly then we are a slave to sin.

Christ set us free from the Old Covenant and brought in the new, law of Christ. If we are set free, we are no longer under the bondage of sin and death.

Set free to allow God to work in and through us under sanctification.
“We are a slave to anything that controls us. “

Yeah whatever we choose to serve becomes our master

“Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey;

whether of sin unto death,

or of obedience unto righteousness?”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭6:16‬ ‭KJV‬‬

some figure we don’t have a choice we’re just born wrong made wrong by God . others understand that we chose wrong and became ensnared because of our own choices and corrupt will
 
Mar 25, 2020
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#33
The New Testament is full of verses commanding us to love each other--not a suggestion (John 13:34-35, 1 John 4:7-8, 1 Peter 4:8, 1 Corinthians 13, 1 John 4:21, etc.). The scary one is 1 John 4:7-8 where Paul says that we don't even know God if we don't love because God is love. NetChaplain wrote, "place love over doctrine (as we know over all things), because if it's not out of love it's not in faith (Gal 5:6)."

Obviously this is VERY important.

So how do we do it? Besides the obvious forgiving, being kind, etc. How do you love the people around you? I'm looking for practical ways.

I'm trying to be better at loving people, so I really appreciate any and all responses!
I think of all the gifts God gave us as human beings, the best is our ability to love. It is what every human being yearns for. Many different kinds of love. The love we have for family members. The love we have as parents, children, brothers and sisters, grandparents, etc.

The love we have for a significant other. In all this, it is the love we give that counts. While the love we receive, we could sometimes take for granted. Because sometimes we don't know the sacrifices the other person makes in order for us to receive the love they gave.

Loving people is the most difficult thing to do. It sometimes causes the one who loves a lot of hurt. It's not easy.

No greater example of love than what Jesus showed us on the Cross, right? That is the ultimate love our Saviour showed us.

We are all called to love like how Jesus' loved. Love for our enemies.

How much more should we love those we're supposed to love

Stay blessed everyone. God bless
 

Eli1

Well-known member
Apr 5, 2022
7,117
3,180
113
47
#40
Good points mentioned in this thread by many.

Seek the highest good for others through the Father’s will.

Patience.

The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.

Treat others like you want to be treated.

Forgiveness.

Pray for your enemies too, they need love.


To this is like to add respect and professionalism during our daily lives. When you do a job for someone, not just at work, do your best so the other person is happy with your work.

This respects the other person when you do something for them and when you go above and beyond so they’re happy with your work.